Wales is often called ‘the land of castles’ so when you next visit North Wales for your next luxury break, it’s time to step back in time, and delve into the history and legends of our great castles, set in some of the most beautiful and dramatic locations.
Llandudno is the ideal base for your explorations of these fascinating historic sites, with some of the finest examples of medieval architecture just minutes from our Llandudno hotel’s doorstep.
If you’re looking for castles near Llandudno, we have some recommendations of some of the breath-taking fortresses you can visit during your North Wales break.
Conwy Castle
Just 15 minutes from our Llandudno hotel discover the fascinating Conwy Castle. A distinctive, medieval and remarkably well-preserved fortress that still protects the town of Conwy with its 1.3km ring of walls.
Built by Edward I in the late 13th century in just four years, Conwy and his other castles (Beaumaris, Harlech and Caernarfon) are now protected UNESCO World Heritage Sites, certainly worth a visit during your North Wales break.
Legend has it as one of the most haunted sites in North Wales, with countless reports of unexplainable apparitions. From the spirit of Prince Llywelyn to scary stories of a ‘Grey Lady’ – a ghostly figure who haunts the castle halls.
Built on what was once a Cistercian monastery, there have also been apparent sightings of a ghost of a monk, dark silhouettes in windows and battlements and ‘a man’ dressed in armour. Whilst many have claimed to have smelled incense within the castle chapel, despite none being burned.
If you’re not spooked by the ghost stories, you’ll love taking in the incredible views of Conwy town, over the estuary and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park from the castle battlements as you make your way around the walls.
Gwrych Castle
If it’s a dramatic gothic castle with far-reaching coastal views you’re looking for near Llandudno, pay a visit to Gwrych Castle, just 26-minutes from our North Wales hotel.
Built between 1812 and 1822 in an attempt to replicate medieval architecture, it’s no wonder this imposing Grade I castle has been used over the years as a filming location, including programmes such as ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’, and is open to the public for self-guided tours, with a small pop-up shop and café on site.
When it comes to its haunted history, Gwrych Castle is known for eerie encounters and unexplained paranormal activity, with reports of ‘a spectral figure of a lady in red shouting, “Get out!”’ as well as ‘shadowy faces appearing in the windows.’ If this excites rather than scares, you can join the Ghost Hunt in September!
Penrhyn Castle
Onto the next one! Continue your castle seeking along the scenic North Wales coast to Bangor where you will find Penrhyn Castle, a neo-Norman fortress around 30-minutes away from our Llandudno hotel.
Set in 60-acres of garden and woodland, this once family home to the Pennant family, was reconstructed in the late 1900s ‘on the proceeds of the North Wales slate industry and sugar plantations in Jamaica.’ Legend has it, an unexpected romance took place between Lady Alice Douglas Pennant, George Douglas-Pennant’s daughter, and a castle staff member, with Italian love notes having been uncovered from Alice’s bedroom.
Today, it’s a National Trust property and visitors can wander around the vast rooms and stairways of this lavish castle, built on sugar and slate fortunes, and walk the impressive grounds, taking in the mountainous views Eryri has to offer.
Beaumaris Castle
If it’s legends and great views you’re after during your stay, make your way to Ynys Môn, (the island of Anglesey) to see the wonder that is Beaumaris Castle – known as “The Greatest Castle Never Built”
It was to be the last fortress constructed by Edward I in Wales, and in building they sought symmetry in the design of this ‘masterpiece,’ but it was never to be finished. By the 1320s, war with Scotland and a lack of funds meant work stopped.
Today, the medieval Beaumaris Castle is a picturesque 43-minute drive from your Llandudno accommodation, and despite its incompletion, is a World Heritage Site, open to visitors to explore and enjoy the spectacular coastal views. But with such a steeped history, unsurprisingly, legends and tales have attached themselves to the castle over the centuries.
It’s been said that the chapel echoes with the chants of past monks; there have been reports of significant and unexplainable temperature changes, footsteps and screams heard in the empty castle halls and shadows seen in windows.
Now if that isn’t a jam-packed schedule of castles to wander, legends to remember and views to take in during your weekend break in Llandudno, we have more for you. We’ve not even mentioned Caernarfon Castle or Harlech. Wales has 427 castles… You’re going to need to book another weekend away, (or two!)